They are all Stagecrafters Youth Theatre alumni. Seller, the original producer of “Rent,” began to have theatrical ambitions when he appeared in a school play in the fourth grade. In fifth grade, he wrote a play, “Adventureland,” to perform with his friends.

“Then it was auditioning for Stagecrafters in the seventh grade, in ‘Speaking of Murder,’ ” Seller says in a video posted on Stagecrafters’ website. “I thought, ‘I’m going to be a professional now, because I’m in an adult play at Stagecrafters.’ ”

“People always ask me, ‘How did you become a producer?’ I went from being in that place, to being in a Rag-a-Muffin play called ‘Popcorn Pete.’ ” Rag-A-Muffin was the precursor of Stagecrafters Youth Theatre.

“It was very quickly after being in plays I asked, ‘Who gets to pick the plays?’ ” Seller goes on. “The moment I asked that question, then served on the play reading committee at Stagecrafters, that was my first action as a producer, and that is why, to this day, I’m forever grateful to Stagecrafters for helping me acquire the skills and develop the talents I had to work in the theater.”

Seller won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a Best Musical Tony Award for “Rent.” He also won Tonys for producing “Avenue Q” and “In the Heights.”

Stagecrafters Youth Theatre will celebrate their 40th anniversary of introducing young people like Foster, Bell, Rodriguez and Seller to the magic of live theatre from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at the historic Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette Ave. in Royal Oak.

Whether known as Rag-a-Muffins or Stagecrafters Youth Theatre members, former cast, crew and family are invited to share in the festivities, visiting and reconnecting with friends, browsing through old playbills and photos, and maybe singing a few songs from previous shows.

“It will be a fun time to remember the fun times,” said Stagecrafters past-president Linda Zublick. Light appetizers will be served, and there is no admission charge. For more information, email Zublick at lindasdance@gmail.com.

“We’re very excited that we’re celebrating 40 years of offering quality theater programs for children and the opportunity for kids to be involved in all aspects of live theater,” Zublick said.

Royal Oak Musicale Holiday Concert

The Royal Oak Musicale will feature three young musicians at their Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 814 N. Campbell Road in Royal Oak. When they were high school seniors, the three soloists received financial awards from Musicale to help with their education.

This evening concert will feature the Royal Oak Musicale Chorus,under the direction of Twylia Voshol and accompanied by Min Sook Chung, performing a variety of holiday music.

The concert is free and open to everyone. There will be a free will offering to help support the Musicale Chorus. Refreshments will be served following the concert.

Unique gifts from Historical Society Museum

It you’re desperately searching for gifts for a hard-to-shop-for friend or history buff, your answer may be waiting at the Royal Oak Historical Society Museum.

Pamphlets are $2 to $5 and include “A View of Historic Royal Oak from 1825 to1955: 12 Oil Paintings by Mildred E. Nelson,” and “To Walk that Old Indian Trail” and “A Walking Tour of the Royal Oak and St. Mary Cemeteries.”

Former Daily Tribune columnist Cindy La Ferle’s “Writing Home” is $17: former Daily Tribune editor John Schultz and journalist Maureen McDonald’s “Images of America: Royal Oak” is $22. Other books by local authors available at the museum include “Royal Oak Nights,” “Murder in Mystic Pond,” “The Mayors Daughter,” and “Royal Oak Twigs and Acorns.”

Maps of the Vinsetta Park Improvement Association, Land Parcels, 1961, are just $1; maps of 1872 downtown Royal Oak and surrounding farms, then known as Royal Oak Township, are $5. Both are suitable for framing.

Historical plates are just $20. One commemorates various Royal Oak schools, including Mark Twain Elementary, Lockman Elementary, Oakridge and Mary Lyon Junior Highs, and both the old and new Oakridge schools -- a great gift for a former graduate.

Composite photos of old Royal Oak High School graduating classes are $5. Call the museum to see if they have the year you want.

An etching of Northwood Fire Station, which now houses the museum, is available for $2, as is a reprinted drawing of the Shrine of the Little Flower tower. Coffee mugs feature a photo of the fire station. They are $5 each.

Fully assembled, mostly military airplane models from WWII to the present are also just $5.

Giving tree for cat needsA giving tree is decorated with wishing ornaments to benefit Tigerlily Cat Rescue on display at the Troy Petsmart, 734 E. Big Beaver Road. Each ornament lists an item needed by Tigerlily. Find the tree on the desktop at the Banfield Veterinary Clinic at the back of the store.

Donations of food, litter, toys, as well as things you might not think of -- like carpet squares for cages, and office supplies -- are needed. Donations of services are helpful, too. Monetary donations are always welcome to help cover expenses and veterinary bills, and can be mailed to Tigerlily at P.O. Box 815, Sterling Heights 48311.

Tigerlily always has kitties looking for a forever home. Their $100 adoption fee includes feline leukemia/FIV testing, deworming, flea preventative, and age-appropriate vaccines. All Tigerlily cats are thoroughly examined by a veterinarian and spayed or neutered before adoption.

Email tigerlilyrescue@aol.com or call 586-431-5353 for a complete list of items needed or apply for an adoption appointment. And be sure to ask about their adorable, unique, handmade cat beds; great gifts for cat lovers.

Student-grown poinsettias for sale

The Oakland Schools Technical Campus-Southeast is the best-kept secret around. During the holiday season, students sell red and white poinsettias grown in their own greenhouse for $2 for a 4-inch single stem, $5.50 for a 6-inch double stem and $8 for a 10-inch triple stem plant.

Money raised from sales goes back into OSTC programs. Walk in between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., but hurry, because supplies are limited. To be sure they’re not sold out, call 248-288-4324. The Southeast OSTC campus is at 5055 Delemere Blvd. in Royal Oak.

Have news about your club, organization or interesting individuals in Southeast Oakland County you would like to share with the community? Email Jeanne Towar at jeanne.towar@gmail.com or call 248-890-8370.